Let's Talk About Talc

Talc is a mineral made up mainly of silicon, oxygen, and magnesium. When
used as a hygienic powder, it absorbs moisture and cuts down on friction
and chafing. Adding a fragrance to it, as Johnson & Johnson did with
its Baby Powder, also controls odor as well as keeps the skin dry.

For these reasons, many mothers used J&J Baby Powder when diapering
their children. In turn, many women continued using Johnson’s Baby
Powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine. Until 2012 when it was
sold, Johnson & Johnson also manufactured a talcum powder product
called Shower to Shower. Shower to Shower was marketed solely to women
for feminine hygiene use. The catchy phrases, “Just a sprinkle a
day helps keep odor away” and “Have you had your sprinkle
today,” were used throughout its ad campaigns.

When talcum powder is used in the genital area, it can travel through the
fallopian tubes to the ovaries, creating an irritant that could lead to
ovarian cancer. Some health experts estimate that of the approximately 22,000 new ovarian
cancer diagnoses each year in the United States, 10% of those are caused
by talc powder products such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder or Shower
to Shower.